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Sunday, April 14, 2013

Federation wants CCTVs in its schools

BANGALORE: After the controversy over alleged discrimination
against RTE quota children in a private school in the city, state
schools are getting extra cautious on the matter.
In its latest meeting, the Karnataka State Private School Management
Federation has advised all its member schools to install CCTVs and voice
recorders in its entrances and office rooms. “Many schools have had bad
experiences of self-proclaimed NGOs and activists barging in and
manhandling school authorities. With the installation of CCTVs, one will
get to know who is right and who is wrong. In case the school can
afford, they can even put it up in classrooms,” said Shashi Kumar D,
organizing secretary.
Last week, Oxford English School in Nandini Layout was dragged into a
controversy over alleged discrimination against children admitted under
the 25% quota of RTE. The interim report however has given a clean chit
to them. with the minister for primary and secondary education
Visveswara Hegde Kageri saying that it was a local body that was
harassing them.
Fake certificates
The schools’ association has brought to the notice of the government
about the fake income certificates they are receiving. “Many children
who apply under RTE quota actually come from financially sound families.
We have the case of a parent whose pay slip showed Rs 60,000 salary yet
applied for RTE quota. There are government officials who take bribe
and issue certificates. We have told the minister to take action against
this,” he said.
The association has also asked the minister to protect managements
and also sought help from police in case there are cases of trespassing.
“Parents sometimes abuse teachers. We have requested the commissioner
of public instruction and DGP for help in any such case and take them to
task,” he added.
Around 800 schools, mostly from the state board, come under the association.
The Times of India, 22 July 2012